
Introduction to the Book of Proverbs
Proverbs to Live By
The book of Proverbs was written primarily by Solomon, son of David, in the
early part of his reign as king of Israel. "In the proverbs of Solomon are outlined
principles of holy living and high endeavor, principles that are heaven-born and
that lead to godliness, principles that should govern every act of life. It was the
wide dissemination of these principles, and the recognition of God as the One to
whom all praise and honor belong, that made Solomon's early reign a time of
moral uplift as well as of material prosperity."—Prophets
and Kings,
pp. 33, 34.
The last two chapters of the book are attributed respectively to "Agur" and
"Lemuel." Some scholars have assumed that these two names refer to Solomon.
Others have concluded that they were unknown compilers or authors.
We know from 1 Kings 4:32 that Solomon "uttered three thousand proverbs;
and his songs were a thousand and five" (RSV). His fame spread abroad; the
wisdom with which he was endowed was the wonder of the whole world. "And the
whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had
put into his mind" (1 Kings 10:24, RSV).
A proverb is "a short, pithy saying in common
use."—alford English Diction-
ary.
A proverb "sums up in compact and easily remembered form an observation
or judgment which is widely held to be true."—R. B. Y. Scott,
Proverbs:
Ecclesiastes, The Anchor Bible
(Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1985), p. 3.
The biblical proverbs were written in Hebrew poetic form.
The purpose of these lessons on Proverbs is to demonstrate that only as we have
a living fellowship with God can we maintain purity of heart and conduct. Know-
ing God through Christ as Saviour and King affects every area of our lives. True
religion is the power for moral and ethical purity. Proverbs is a book of practical
religion designed to demonstrate the results of faith in action. It is a tool for the
purpose of enabling believers to act wisely, to think about what they do and why
they do it, and to be more sensible and sensitive citizens as a result of integrating
learning and faith.
We are studying the book of Proverbs topically rather than verse by verse
because the issues and themes raised in the book are not in any apparent order, and
some of them recur a number of times.
The major purpose of education is the redemption of the individual: to impart
God's character to those who are willing, so that their thoughts, words, and deeds
are truly representative of Him. The proverbs and these lessons were designed: (1)
to provide a view of our need; (2) to lead us to the Source of wisdom, power, and
salvation; and (3) to furnish a practical guide for every major area of life. Hence the
title—Proverbs to Live By.
OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
I.
Introduction, 1:1-7.
II.
The Wisdom Section, 1:8 to 9:18.
III.
A Collection of Proverbs, 10:1 to 22:16.
IV.
A Series of Maxims, 22:17 to 24:34.
V.
Proverbs Collected for Hezekiah, 25:1 to 29:27.
VI.
The Words of Agur and Lemuel, 30:1-31:31.